Abstract: A one piece construction forming the dial, cover and casing for a timepiece movement.

Abstract: The two conductor hairspring-hub arrangement comprises a metallic and substantially conventional hairspring which is fastened to a unitary hub, i.e. a metallic washer-like hub, to form a core or inner conductor. This inner conductor is sheathed with an insulating mantle or layer which is, in turn, coated with an electrical conductive mantle, i.e. an outer conductor insulated from the inner conductor.The insulating and conductive mantles have openings so that separate electrical connection can be made to the inner and outer conductors at each end of the hairspring-hub arrangement.In this manner, a two conductor hairspring-hub arrangement is provided which in an electric watch is capable of coupling drive pulses to a balance wheel drive coil.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece having a single digital display and being suitable to operate as a standard timekeeping wristwatch or in the alternative as a chronograph. Separate divider circuits are provided for performing the timekeeping and chronograph functions, a first selector circuit selecting which function is to be displayed. A single set of switches is provided for controlling either divider circuit, a second selected circuit selecting which function is performed by said switches.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece having the electronic circuitry formed as a single monolithically integrated circuit chip is provided, a first portion of the circuitry being actuated by a first potential and a second portion of the circuitry being actuated by a second potential higher than said first. The circuit chip includes complementary coupled MOS transistors, the first and second circuit portions operating respectively at first and second logic levels. An interface is provided intermediate said first and second circuit portions, the interface being adapted to effect an interfacing of said logic levels, and an electrical insulation of said first and second circuit portions.

Abstract: An electrooptic display for watches with improved night visibility comprises a liquid crystal cell with actuatable character segments and polarizing elements mounted on either side thereof, a reflector behind one of the polarizer elements and light emitting segments on the reflector aligned with the character segments.In a first embodiment, the reflector has thin lines of phosphorescent material painted on its surface adjacent the polarizing element. In a second embodiment, the reflector has small slits aligned with the character segments and a phosphorescent material is painted into the slit area behind the reflector.Both embodiments preferably employ a display having clear or light characters against a dark background. Thus during nighttime use, light radiating from the phosphorescent material may be seen by the viewer through each energized (or transparent) segment. Light from the phosphorescent material behind deenergized segments is blocked.

Abstract: A battery-powered quartz crystal timepiece is provided with a battery voltage detecting circuit utilizing the threshold voltage of a field effect transistor as a battery failure indicator. The voltage level at which failure is indicated may be selectively controlled by adjusting a load resistance value of the field effect transistor or a voltage divider intermediate the transistor and battery. The battery voltage detecting circuit may operate intermittently, the sampled output of the detecting circuit being stored in a memory circuit.

Abstract: A time indication setting circuit for accelerating or stopping the advance of the time indicating mechanism in an electronic timepiece. A delay circuit receives time pulses developed within the timepiece and the time pulses and delayed time pulses from the delay circuit are applied to a gate circuit. The gate circuit applies the time pulses and the delayed time pulses, under the control of a control circuit, to the timepiece drive train to drive the timepiece time indicating mechanism at a rate determined by the pulse repetition rate of the pulses applied to the drive train.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece comprising a plurality of time keep mechanisms adapted to be parallel operated, for example, an electrical time keep means and a mechanical time keep means, is disclosed. The electronic timepiece comprises a time set mechanism which can read out an information of mutual relation between a standard time and a kept time at an instant upon receipt of a standard time signal which is exteriorly supplied as an input and memorize said information and which can precisely synchronize the timepiece during its time keep operation with a standard timepiece based on said memorized information.

Abstract: A timepiece having a quartz crystal vibrator serving as a time standard, a liquid crystal display, and divider and driving circuits formed from COS/MOS transistors dividing the high frequency signal from the vibrator into low frequency timing signals for the direct driving of the liquid crystal display. The driving circuit includes a COS/MOS inverter directly coupled at its output to each liquid crystal display segment.

Abstract: An assembly of electronic components and a method of packaging such components to form a solid state time-keeping device capable of being housed in watch cases having different external configurations. The assembly includes a sub-assembly component which combines and interconnects an integrated semiconductor device with other discrete elements required to perform basic timing function in a compact package. This sub-assembly and the various other electronic components are readily removable and interchangeably replaceable with simple jeweler's hand tools.

Abstract: This disclosure depicts an electronic timepiece having complementary electro-optical and electro-mechanical displays. The electro-mechanical time display comprises a stepping motor driving hour and minute hands to continuously display the hours and minutes of the day, the most used time functions. The electro-optical display is a normally off two-digit LED display which is activated by user command to display at least one additional time-related function having a lower normal use factor than hours or minutes. The complementary electro-optical and electro-mechanical time displays are controlled from a common control means.

Abstract: This relates to a quartz clock having a frequency divider IC with an adjustable and programmable dividing factor. The adjustable dividing factor is reached by suppression of the pulses to be divided in such a manner that the distribution of the suppressed pulses is optimized.

Abstract: A switch mechanism for an electronic timepiece which makes use of an electro-optical display element. The switch mechanism serves to effect erasure, correction and the like of the display and comprises an exteriorly operated member provided in its axial direction with a plurality of stable positions and rotatable about its axis at the stable positions and provided in its rotating sense with stable positions. An erasing switch is provided for erasing the display at the stable positions when the exteriorly operated member is rotated at one of the stable positions in its axial direction. A correction switch corrects the display at the stable position when said exteriorly operated member is rotated at at least one other stable position in its axial direction.

Abstract: Gear drive enclosure, preferably for battery-operated clocks whose drive is supported in and on both sides of a single base plate, and wherein the latter has a plastic housing cover or capsule and a support plate coordinated thereto. The plastic capsule limits one side of the gear mechanism, which has an indicator mechanism provided thereat, while the support plate limits the other side of the gear mechanism.

Abstract: An electronic watch including an electronic divider for dividing the high frequency output signal of a standard oscillator into low frequency timing signals. The oscillator and divider are driven by a battery having a capacitor fixedly connected in parallel therewith to serve as a voltage source during temporary disconnection of the battery.

Abstract: This invention relates to electric clocks and chart recorders driven by crystal controlled electric motors. The motor includes two stator plates, a rotor and a drive coil surrounding the legs of the stator plates. The rotor carries a pinion which drives the first gear of a mechanical gear train located between two side plates consisting of synthetic resin material. One of the side plates carries at least one bearing for the rotor and a plurality of projections which fit into holes in the stator plates and serve to position the stator plates in relation to the rotor. Electric pulses are supplied to the drive coil by an electronic frequency divider circuit having a push-pull output stage; a zener diode is connected in parallel with the power supply to the divider circuit and the drive coil to enable the motor to operate satisfactorily over a range of supply voltages.

Abstract: A setting mechanism incorporated in a digital display device which includes a movable first digit carrier; a motor driving the first digit carrier in a normal digit-advancing operation; and a movable second digit carrier. The setting mechanism has a drive member continuously driven by the motor, a clutch connected between the drive member and the second digit carrier. The clutch, when in its engaged state, couples the drive member to the second digit carrier for imparting a setting motion to the latter; and a manually operable actuator connected to the clutch for operating the same.

Abstract: An arrangement for indicating elapsed time is disclosed that is particularly useful in marine timepieces, divers' wristwatches and the like. The arrangement utilizes a light-emitting member which, upon the lapsing of a predetermined time is energized to give visual indication to the wearer of the elapsed time. A mechanical switching structure is described that is controlled by the movement of the timepiece and which upon closure causes the light emitting member to be energized. An electronic circuit is provided which causes the light emitting member to flash when energized.

Abstract: A programmer clock for use with alarm systems in banking and like institutions employs a diode matrix, day and hour stepper switches and a direct current motor driven clock, the positions and controls of all of which are mounted and visible on a single control panel. The condition of the alarm system and the program can be determined at a glance and the program itself can be readily and accurately altered at any time by authorized persons.

Abstract: An electronic wristwatch with an electronic sound emitter device which provides greatly improved efficiency in the quality and quantity of the sound emitted with a minimum number of elements. The results, in general, are obtained by arranging the elements in such a manner that a suitable signal is presented to the sound emitter driving device upon the coincidence of a preset time and the time given by a time display device.